In pictures: Royal Navy divers neutralise underwater bombs on Ex Northern Challenge

Royal Navy divers joined counterparts from across Nato in Iceland for the alliance's biggest test dealing with homemade bombs.

They neutralised underwater threats and disposed of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) during training, which reflected real-life scenarios during Exercise Northern Challenge.

Personnel from the Royal Navy's Diving and Threat Exploitation Group worked alongside personnel from 17 nations, including the US, Canada, New Zealand, Germany and Nordic countries, for the exercise, which saw increasingly realistic situations played out. 

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More than 500 participants came together to focus on realistic, complex scenarios including vehicle-borne bombs, remotely detonated devices and post-blast analysis.

During the two-week exercise, the UK team, made up of elements based in Portsmouth, Plymouth and Faslane, safely and effectively disposed of training IEDs using live demolitions; conducted diving operations to safeguard critical underwater infrastructure and identified and neutralised shore-based threats, including a scenario involving a car with a bomb inside. 

The aim of the exercise, hosted by the Icelandic Coast Guard, was to give Nato allies the chance to learn from each other and ensure they can work seamlessly together should threats arise. It underscores the UK’s commitment to security and readiness in addressing global threats.

It also saw personnel showcase different kit and equipment to deal with IEDs and other devices from a safe distance.

Lieutenant Commander Chris Forster, officer in charge of the Delta Squadron contingent, said: "Exercise Northern Challenge 25 in Keflavik, Iceland, allowed Delta Squadron to demonstrate our diving and Explosive Ordnance Disposal expertise in a realistic and demanding environment. 

"The scenarios were tailored to reflect the contemporary threats a Nato task force could face, providing an invaluable opportunity to enhance our interoperability, refine our skills and ensure we remain ready to respond to complex challenges alongside our allies." 

Working alongside other nations gave the divers the chance to share tactics, techniques and procedures as well as lessons learned for each scenario. 

It also allowed them to practise managing complex tasks and threats while integrating with Nato allies.

Exercise Northern Challenge saw the various EOD teams use advanced tools including bomb suits, digital x-ray systems, and remotely piloted drones to locate, identify and neutralise explosive threats. 

The scenarios replicated real-world environments, forcing teams to work together for intelligence exploitation, technical procedures and rapid decision-making under pressure and often with tight timelines.